Bundeswehr drone regiment should be fully operational by 2029

Army Inspector Christian Freuding wants the Bundeswehr's new drone regiment to be fully operational by 2029. The association, which is geared entirely towards unmanned systems, will consist of five or six companies with different capabilities, said the lieutenant general of the German Press Agency in Berlin.

In this way, a company should be able to fight opponents at short range (“close fight”). There will also be a company for weapons deployment up to 500 kilometers, depending on the technological options available on the market.

He also names an electronic warfare company (Eloka) and an anti-drone company. “And then I want us to have our own test and experimental company within the regiment’s structures so that we can carry out further development, testing, testing and operations from a single source,” said the lieutenant general.

The military can integrate unmanned systems deeply into the military structure or create them as an independent unit. «I am convinced that both paths are promising. And that's why we decided to pursue the path of an independent regiment," he said.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) announced the formation of the new association the day before at the Bergen military training area in Lower Saxony. The so-called initial qualification for deployment should be achieved in 2027 with around 350 men and women. The association should then grow to 600 soldiers.